Classifying Chemical Reactions

Complete the table below by reading Chapter 5.2 of your textbook. For some reaction types, you may need to utilise the internet. When you have
completed the table, test your understanding by completing the accompanying worksheets.
Reaction Type

Key Information

Products of reaction

Decomposition reaction

When a single reactant breaks apart to form

several products, the reactant is said to
decompose.

Example of reaction type

Carbonic Acid water + carbon
dioxide

XY X + Y

H 2 CO 3 ( aq )

H 2 O(l) +

CO2 (g)
Combination (synthesis)
reaction

Combination reactions occur when two

reactants combine to form a single product.

Hydrogen gas + chlorine gas hydrogen

chloride gas

X + Y XY

H 2 (g) + Cl2 ( g) 2 HCl g

Precipitation reaction

Combustion reaction

Occasionally when two clear solutions are

mixed together, they react to form a solid.
The solid is said to precipitate out of the
solution.
Combustion, at its most general, can mean
the reaction of oxygen gas (

O2

with

anything (fuel). During combustion reactions,

substances burn rapidly to produce large
amounts of heat and light, creating carbon
dioxide and water.

Two soluble reactants (usually

salt) combine to form an insoluble
product known as the precipitate.

X+

O2 Y +

H2O

CO2

Soluble salt A + Soluble salt B

Precipitate + Soluble Salt C

Methane + oxygen carbon

dioxide + water

CH 4 (g) + 2O2 ( g)
CO2 (g) + 2 H 2 O(l )

Acid-base (neutralisation)
reaction

When an acid and base mixed together to

neutralised to create a salt and water.

Acid + Base Water + Salt

Single displacement reaction

During a single replacement reaction, one

1. One cation replaces

another.

HCl+ NaOH

H 2 O+ NaCl

element replaces another element in a

compound.

AX + Y YX + A

Zn+ HCl

Zn Cl 2+ H 2 O

2. One anion replaces

another
A + XY XA + Y
Double displacement reaction

During double replacement, the cations and

anions of two different compounds switch
places.

AB + XY AY + XB

FeS+ HCl

Fe Cl2 +

H2 S